Ed Coghlan recited the “Pledge of Allegiance” as residents and Lynbrook Fire Department volunteers saluted or held their hands over their hearts.

Susan Grieco/Herald

A Girl Scout placed a flower on a victim's marker in Memorial Park.

Mary Malloy/Herald

East Rockaway and Lynbrook held solemn ceremonies on Sept. 11 to honor local residents who lost their lives in the terrorists attacks in 2001. East Rocakway Fire Department Chief Ed Reicherter, foreground, with members of his department.

Mary Malloy/Herald

By Mary Malloy

Last week marked the 12th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 as dozens of community members came out to memorialize, honor and remember those who lost their lives on one of the darkest days in this nation’s history.

The villages of Lynbrook and East Rockaway each hosted their annual Sept. 11 memorial ceremonies to commemorate the day.

Dozens of Lynbrook residents, firefighters, elected officials and victims’ families came out to the village’s 9/11 Memorial Park for an evening ceremony that was filled with meaningful words, patriotic songs and flowers. In East Rockaway, the solemn ceremony was held at Memorial Park.

“We pray for those who made the passing to next life on Sept. 11,” said the Rev. William Breslawski of Our Lady of Peace Church. “We pray that right now paradise may be more beautiful for them than they could ever have dreamed of or imagined.”